What to Expect in a Spinning Class

Regular exercise can drastically improve your overall health, with particular emphasis on the heart and lung function. This is why people who exercise on an everyday basis have been shown to drastically reduce their risks of strokes, heart diseases, diabetes, obesity and other such conditions. In fact, a daily routine of aerobic exercise can even help patients suffering from asthma and joint issues. One such exercise is spinning: performed on a spinning bike, this particular activity closely mimics the motions involved in regular outdoors cycling, but takes it a step further by encouraging the athlete to stand up while pedaling. While it is of course advisable to invest in your own spinning bike, more and more gyms are offering spinning classes which can help both beginners and experienced users alike to reach their fitness goals.

We’ve put together our top 10 spinning bikes to help you find the best spinning bike for your particular needs.

A spinning class can be a good option for intermediate to experienced users. If you’re a complete novice, you might understandably find it hard to keep up with the pace at first. Still, most beginners find that they are able to catch up after a few weeks. The first thing that you should do before enrolling in a spinning class is enquire about the overall level of the class in general: while most gyms tend to mix together beginners and advanced users, some centers do offer classes that specifically target athletes with no prior experience. It’s not a bad idea to try out the machines before you start the class as well. This will make it easier for you to follow the classes since you won’t have to look for the different machine options and functions during your training.

What can you expect?

When you sign up for a spinning class, you should also expect to indulge in interval training, whereby the instructor will vary between high and low intensities every few minutes. While this can be initially hard to follow, you will quickly get the hang of it. This will help you burn far more calories in the long run since your body will be limited to the same range of repetitive motions over and over again. Spin classes may also encourage you to switch between the different programs included in your machine. Consequently, users can alternate between cruising, climbing and sprinting as they follow the motions involved in the built-in programs. Bear in mind that these will therefore encourage you to alternate between standing up and sitting on the saddle. For maximum comfort, remember to keep one leg at a 30 to 40 degree angle. Your toes should be relaxed, not clenched, and they should lightly touch the bottom end of the pedal.

If you cannot keep up with the spinning class, it is perfectly acceptable- and normal- to take a small pause by doing some light pedaling. Very few trainers will call you out for brief pauses, especially if you’re a novice. The rule of the thumb is to never push yourself to follow the others, particularly if they happen to be more experienced than you. Lastly, never hesitate to ask your trainer to help you find your way around the bike.